555 timer IC

555 timer IC
The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, delay, pulse generation, and oscillator applications. Derivatives provide two (556) or four (558) timing circuits in one package. The design was first marketed in 1972 by Signetics and used bipolar junction transistors. Since then, numerous companies have made the original timers and later similar low-power CMOS timers. In 2017, it was said that over a billion 555 timers are produced annually by some estimates, and that the design was "probably the most popular integrated circuit ever made".
History
The timer IC was designed in 1971 by Hans Camenzind under contract to Signetics. In 1968, he was hired by Signetics to develop a phase-locked loop (PLL) IC. He designed an oscillator for PLLs such that the frequency did not depend on the power supply voltage or temperature. Signetics subsequently laid off half of its employees due to the 1970 recession, and development on the PLL was thus frozen. Camenzind proposed the development of a universal circuit based on the oscillator for PLLs and asked that he develop it alone, borrowing equipment from Signetics instead of having his pay cut in half. Camenzind's idea was originally rejected, since other engineers argued the product could be built from existing parts sold by the company; however, the marketing manager approved the idea.
The first design for the 555 was reviewed in the summer of 1971. After this design was tested and found to be without errors, Camenzind got the idea of using a direct resistance instead of a constant current source, finding that it worked satisfactorily. The design change decreased the required 9 external pins to 8, so the IC could be fit in an 8-pin package instead of a 14-pin package. This revised version passed a second design review, and the prototypes were completed in October 1971 as the NE555V (plastic DIP) and SE555T (metal TO-5). The 9-pin version had already been released by another company founded by an engineer who had attended the first review and had retired from Signetics; that firm withdrew its version soon after the 555 was released. The 555 timer was manufactured by 12 companies in 1972, and it became a best-selling product.
The 555 found many applications beyond timers. Camenzind noted in 1997 that "nine out of 10 of its applications were in areas and ways I had never contemplated. For months I was inundated by phone calls from engineers who had new ideas for using the device."
Name
Several books report the name "555" timer IC derived from the three 5 kΩ resistors inside the chip. However, in a recorded interview with an online transistor museum curator, Hans Camenzind said "It was just arbitrarily chosen. It was Art Fury (marketing manager) who thought the circuit was gonna sell big who picked the name '555' timer IC.."
Design
Depending on the manufacturer, the standard 555 package incorporated the equivalent of 25 transistors, 2 diodes, and 15 resistors on a silicon chip packaged into an 8-pin dual in-line package (DIP-8). Variants available included the 556 (a DIP-14 combining two complete 555s on one chip), and 558 / 559 (both variants were a DIP-16 combining four reduced-functionality timers on one chip).
The NE555 parts were commercial temperature range, 0 °C to +70 °C, and the SE555 part number designated the military temperature range, −55 °C to +125 °C. These chips were available in both high-reliability metal can (T package) and inexpensive epoxy plastic (V package) form factors. Thus, the full part numbers were NE555V, NE555T, SE555V, and SE555T.
Low-power CMOS versions of the 555 are now available, such as the Intersil ICM7555 and Texas Instruments LMC555, TLC555, TLC551.
Internal schematic
The internal block diagram and schematic of the 555 timer are highlighted with the same color across all three drawings to clarify how the chip is implemented:
: Between the positive supply voltage VCC and the ground GND is a voltage divider consisting of three identical resistors (5kΩ for bipolar timers, 100kΩ or higher for CMOS) to create reference voltages for the analog comparators. CONTROL is connected between the upper two resistors, allowing an external voltage to control the reference voltages:
When CONTROL is not driven, this divider creates an upper reference voltage of VCC and a lower reference voltage of VCC.
When CONTROL is driven, the upper reference voltage will instead be VCONTROL and the lower reference voltage will be VCONTROL.
: The comparator's negative input is connected to voltage divider's upper reference voltage, and the comparator's positive input is connected to THRESHOLD.
: The comparator's positive input is connected to voltage divider's lower reference, and the comparator's negative input is connected to TRIGGER.
: A set-reset latch stores the state of the timer and is controlled by the two comparators. RESET overrides the other two inputs, thus the latch (and therefore the entire timer) can be reset at any time.
: The output of the latch is followed by an output stage with pushpull output drivers that can supply up to 200mA for bipolar timers, lower for CMOS timers.
: Also, the output of the latch controls a transistor acting as an electronic switch that connects DISCHARGE to ground (convenient for discharging a timing capacitor) or leaves it disconnected.
Pinout
The pinout of the 8-pin 555 timer and 14-pin 556 dual timer are shown in the following table. Since the 556 is conceptually two 555 timers that share power pins, the pin numbers for each half are split across two columns.
In the following table, longer pin designations are used, because manufacturers never standardized the abbreviated pin names across all datasheets.
Modes
The 555 IC has the following operating modes:
Astable (free-running) mode – The 555 operates as an electronic oscillator. Applications include:
Light emitting diode and lamp flashers, pulse generation, pulse-width modulation (PWM), logic clocks, tone generation, security alarms, pulse-position modulation, etc.
Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) from an analog value represented by a resistance or capacitance into a digital pulse length.
e.g., selecting a thermistor as timing resistor allows the use of the 555 in a temperature sensor with the period of the output pulse determined by the temperature. A microprocessor can then convert the pulse period to temperature, linearize it, and even provide calibration.
Monostable (one-shot) mode – The 555 operates as a "one-shot" pulse generator. Applications include:
timers, missing pulse detection, bounce-free switches, touch switches, frequency dividers, triggered measurement of resistance or capacitance, PWM, etc.
Bistable (latch) mode – The 555 operates as a set-reset latch. Applications include:
switch debouncing.
Schmitt trigger (inverter) mode – the 555 operates as a Schmitt trigger inverter gate. Application:
Converts a noisy input into a clean digital output.
Astable
In the astable configuration, the 555 timer puts out a continuous stream of rectangular pulses having a specific period.
The astable configuration is implemented using two resistors, and and one capacitor . The threshold and trigger pins are both connected to the capacitor; thus they have the same voltage.
Its repeated operating cycle (starting with the capacitor uncharged) is:
Since the capacitor's voltage will be below VCC, the trigger pin causes the 555's internal latch to change state, causing OUT to go high and the internal discharge transistor to cut-off.
Since the discharge pin is no longer short-circuited to ground, the capacitor starts charging via current from Vcc through the resistors and .
Once the capacitor charge reaches Vcc, the threshold pin causes the 555's internal latch to change state, causing OUT to go low and the internal discharge transistor to go into saturation (maximal-conductivity) mode.
This discharge transistor provides a discharge path, so the capacitor starts discharging through .
Once the capacitor's voltage drops below VCC, the cycle repeats from step 1.
During the first pulse, the capacitor charges from 0 V to VCC, however, in later pulses, it only charges from VCC to VCC. Consequently, the first pulse has a longer high time interval compared to later pulses. Moreover, the capacitor charges through both resistors but only discharges through , thus the output high interval is longer than the low interval. This is shown in the following equations:
The output high time interval of each pulse is given by:
The output low time interval of each pulse is given by:
Hence, the frequency of the pulse is given by:
and the duty cycle is given by:
where is the time in seconds, is the resistance in ohms, is the capacitance in farads, and is the natural logarithm of 2.
Resistor requirements:
The maximum power rating of must be greater than , per Ohm's law.
Particularly with bipolar 555 types, low values of must be avoided so that the output stays saturated near zero volts during discharge, as assumed by the above equation. Otherwise, the output low time will be greater than calculated above.
Shorter duty cycle
To create an output high time shorter than the low time (i.e., a duty cycle less than 50%) a fast diode (i.e. 1N4148 signal diode) can be placed in parallel with R2, with the cathode on the capacitor side. This bypasses R2 during the high part of the cycle, so that the high interval depends only on R1 and C, with an adjustment based on the voltage drop across the diode. The low time is unaffected by the diode and so remains But the diode's forward voltage drop Vdiode slows charging on the capacitor, so the high time is longer than the often-cited to become:
where Vdiode is when the diode's "on" current is of VCC/R1 (which depends on the type of diode and can be found in datasheets or measured). When Vdiode is small relative to Vcc, this charging is faster and approaches but is slower the closer Vdiode is to Vcc:
As an extreme example, when VCC = 5 V, and Vdiode = 0.7 V, high time is 1.00 R1C, which is 45% longer than the "expected" 0.693 R1C. At the other extreme, when Vcc = 15 V, and Vdiode = 0.3 V, the high time is 0.725 R1C, which is closer to the expected 0.693 R1C. The equation approaches 0.693 R1C as Vdiode approaches 0 V.
Voltage-controlled pulse-width modulation
In the previous example schematics, the control pin was not used, thus it should connected to ground through a 10 nF decoupling capacitor to shunt electrical noise. However if a time-varying voltage source was applied to the control pin, then the pulse widths would be dependent on the control voltage.
Monostable
Monostable mode produces an output pulse when the trigger signals drops below VCC. An RC circuit sets the output pulse's duration as the time in seconds it takes to charge C to VCC:
where is the resistance in ohms, is the capacitance in farads, is the natural log of 3 constant. The output pulse duration can be lengthened or shortened as desired by adjusting the values of R and C. Subsequent triggering before the end of this timing interval won't affect the output pulse.
After the timing interval completes, the capacitor is almost instantly discharged through the Discharge pin, to then allow for subsequent triggering.
Example Values
The table of common values (right) are solutions to that timing equation.
Scaling R and C by opposite powers of 10 will provide the same timing. For instance, ~1ms results from either:
1nF and 910kΩ,
10nF and 91kΩ (values from table), or
100nF and 9.1kΩ.
For each row in the example table (right), two additional timing values can easily be created by adding a second resistor in parallel or series. In parallel, the new timing is half the table time. In series, the new timing is double the table time.
5ms ≅ 100nF and 45.5kΩ (two 91kΩ resistors in parallel)
10ms ≅ 100nF and 91kΩ (values from table)
20ms ≅ 100nF and 182kΩ (two 91kΩ resistors in series)
Bistable SR latch
A 555 timer can act as an active-low SR latch (though without an inverted output) by connecting a input signal to the pin and connecting a input signal to the pin. Thus, pulling momentarily low acts as a "set" and transitions the output to the high state (VCC). Conversely, pulling momentarily low acts as a "reset" and transitions the Out pin to the low state (GND).
No timing capacitors are required in a bistable configuration. The threshold input is grounded because it is unused. The trigger and reset inputs may be held high via pull-up resistors if they are normally Hi-Z and only enabled by connecting to ground. The discharge pin isn't needed in this configuration, though it can be optionally used as an open-collector output.
Bistable Schmitt trigger
A 555 timer can be used to create a Schmitt trigger inverter gate, which converts a noisy input into a clean digital output.
An input signal is AC-coupled through a low value series capacitor, then biased by identical high-resistance resistors and , which causes the signal to be centered at half Vcc. This centered signal is connected to both the trigger and threshold input pins of the timer. The input signal must be strong enough to excite the trigger levels of the comparators to exceed VCC and VCC in order to cause them to change state. The discharge pin isn't needed in this configuration, though it can be optionally used as an open-collector output.
Packages
In 1972, Signetics originally released the 555 timer in DIP-8 and TO5-8 metal can packages, and the 556 timer was released in a DIP-14 package.
In 2006, the dual 556 timer was available in through-hole packages as DIP-14 (2.54 mm pitch), and surface-mount packages as SO-14 (1.27 mm pitch) and SSOP-14 (0.65 mm pitch).
In 2012, the 555 was available in through-hole packages as DIP-8 (2.54 mm pitch), and surface-mount packages as SO-8 (1.27 mm pitch), SSOP-8 / TSSOP-8 / VSSOP-8 (0.65 mm pitch), BGA (0.5 mm pitch).
The MIC1555 is a CMOS 555-type timer with three fewer pins available in SOT23-5 (0.95 mm pitch) surface-mount package.
Specifications
These specifications apply to the original bipolar NE555. Other 555 timers can have different specifications depending on the grade (industrial, military, medical, etc.).
Derivatives
Numerous companies have manufactured one or more variants of the 555, 556, 558 timers over the past decades, under many different part numbers. The following is a partial list:
Table notes
All information in the above table was pulled from references in the datasheet column, except where denoted below.
For the "Total timers" column, a "*" denotes parts that are missing 555 timer features.
For the "Iq" column, a 5-volt supply was chosen as a common voltage to make it easier to compare. The value for Signetics NE558 is an estimate because NE558 datasheets don't state Iq at 5 V. The value listed in this table was estimated by comparing the 5 V to 15 V ratio of other bipolar datasheets, then derating the 15 V parameter for the NE558 part, which is denoted by the "*".
For the "Frequency max." column, a "*" denotes values that may not be the actual maximum frequency limit of the part. The MIC1555 datasheet discusses limitations from 1 to 5 MHz. Though most bipolar timers don't state the maximum frequency in their datasheets, they all have a maximum frequency limitation of hundreds of kHz across their full temperature range. Section 8.1 of the Texas Instruments NE555 datasheet states a value of 100 kHz, and their website shows a value of 100 kHz in timer comparison tables. Signetics App Note 170 states that most devices will oscillate up to 1 MHz; however, when considering temperature stability, it should be limited to about 500 kHz. The application note from HFO mentions that at higher supply voltages the maximum power dissipation of the circuit might limit the operating frequency, as the supply current increases with frequency.
For the "Manufacturer" column, the following associates historical 555 timer manufacturers to current company names.
Fairchild Semiconductor was sold to ON Semiconductor in 2016. ON Semiconductor was founded in 1999 as a spinoff of Motorola Semiconductor Components Group. The MC1455 started as a Motorola product.
Intersil was sold to Renesas Electronics in 2017. The ICM7555 and ICM7556 started as Intersil products.
Micrel was sold to Microchip Technology in 2015. The MIC1555 started as a Micrel product.
National Semiconductor was sold to Texas Instruments in 2011. The LM555 and LM556 started as a National Semiconductor products.
Signetics was sold to Philips Semiconductor in 1975, later to NXP Semiconductors in 2006.
Zetex Semiconductors was sold to Diodes Incorporated in 2008. The ZSCT1555 started as a Zetex product.
556 dual timer
The dual version is called 556. It features two complete 555 timers in a 14-pin package; only the two power-supply pins are shared between the two timers. In 2020, the bipolar version was available as the NE556, and the CMOS versions were available as the Intersil ICM7556 and Texas Instruments TLC556 and TLC552. See derivatives table in this article.
558 quad timer
The quad version is called 558 and has four reduced-functionality timers in a 16-pin package designed primarily for monostable multivibrator applications. By 2014, many versions of 16-pin NE558 have become obsolete.
Partial list of differences between 558 and 555 chips:
One VCC and one GND, similar to 556 chip.
Four "Reset" are tied together internally to one external pin (558).
Four "Control Voltage" are tied together internally to one external pin (558).
Four "Triggers" are falling-edge sensitive (558), instead of level sensitive (555).
Two resistors in the voltage divider (558), instead of three resistors (555).
One comparator (558), instead of two comparators (555).
Four "Output" are open-collector (O.C.) type (558), instead of push–pull (P.P.) type (555).
See also
RC circuit
Counter (digital)
Operational amplifier
List of LM-series integrated circuits
List of linear integrated circuits
4000-series integrated circuits, List of 4000-series integrated circuits
7400-series integrated circuits, List of 7400-series integrated circuits
Push–pull output, Open-collector/drain output, Three-state output
Notes
References
Further reading
Books
555 Timer Applications Sourcebook With Experiments; 2nd Ed; Howard Berlin; BPB Publications; 218 pages; 2008; . (1st Ed in 1978)
Timer/Generator Circuits Manual; 1st Ed; R.M. Marston; Newnes; 276 pages; 1990; .
Engineer's Mini-Notebook – 555 Timer IC Circuits; 3rd Ed; Forrest Mims III; Radio Shack; 33 pages; 1989; ASIN B000MN54A6. (1st Ed in 1984)
IC Timer Cookbook; 2nd Ed; Walt Jung; Sams Publishing; 384 pages; 1983; . (1st Ed in 1977)
110 IC Timer Projects; Jules Gilder; Hayden; 115 pages; 1979; .
IC 555 Projects; E.A. Parr; Bernard Babani Publishing; 144 pages; 1978; .
Books with timer chapters
Lessons in Electric Circuits - Volume VI - Experiments; Tony Kuphaldt; Open Book Project; 423 pages; 2010. (Chapter 6 and 8)
Designing Analog Chips; Hans Camenzind (inventor of 555 timer); Virtual Bookworm; 244 pages; 2005; . (Chapter 11)
Timer, Op Amp, and Optoelectronic Circuits and Projects; Forrest Mims III; Master Publishing; 128 pages; 2004; . (Chapter 1)
Linear LSI Data and Applications Manual; Signetics; 1250 pages; 1985. (Appnotes AN170/171 and Datasheets NE555/6/8)
Analog Applications Manual; Signetics; 418 pages; 1979. (Chapter 6)
TTL Cookbook; Don Lancaster; Sams Publishing; 412 pages; 1974; . (Chapter 4, pages 171-188)
Datasheets
See links in "Derivatives" table and "References" section in this article.
External links
Using the 555 Timer IC in Special or Unusual Circuits - Nuts & Volts magazine
555 Timer Tutorial - Tony van Roon
Common Mistakes When Using a 555 Timer
Teardown of a bipolar RCA LM555CH chip
Teardown of a CMOS TI LMC555 chip
1972 introductions
Electronic oscillators
Linear integrated circuits